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Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 overview

The Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens is a high-performance zoom-telephoto lens that features, for the first time, the SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) autofocus system. ED lens elements are used extensively to correct the color blurring that can occur when telescopic lenses are extended to their maximum focal length, while the digital-dedicated design ensures high-definition performance with clear, crisp images from edge to edge. It offers an equivalent focal length in 35mm terms of 100-400mm.

The lens' autofocus is powered by Olympus' innovative SWD focusing technology. SWD combines different technologies to provide both high speed and high precision autofocusing, while allowing the lens to be operated with lower noise than before. Optimized for use with the new E-3, this lens enables the camera to demonstrate the full power of its high-speed capability, providing extremely fast focusing.

Special optical glass elements are used to correct various types of aberrations, while the 100% digital design ensures high-definition performance with clear, crisp images from edge to edge. Close-up shooting capability is also superb, with a minimum shooting distance of just 3.9' (1.2 m) throughout the zoom range.

Supersonic Wave Drive Technology

SWD technology allows for ultra-fast, whisper-quiet, high-precision AF. Two compact, high-powered SWD devices power autofocus at an ultra-high speed by exciting unique elliptical oscillations, while an ultra-compact 5.3mm x 4.3mm optical encoder detects and controls the lens drive position using direct rotation detection without reduction gear. This enables it to achieve a level of precision that's accurate to 5 microns (5/1000 mm). When used in combination with the E-3, which offers improved AF computation and lens-body communication rates, the SWD motors provide the fastest focusing speed of approximately 170 ms (0.17 seconds).

High Optical Quality

Features 3 ED elements to correct for various types of aberrations.

Internal Focus

Internal Focus system makes focusing smoother and faster.

Tripod Collar

A removable, rotating tripod collar is included with this lens for stable shooting in both the horizontal and vertical orientation.

Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 reviews

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Bert from
What a difference!I love my new lens! I take a lot of pics at sporting events and this lens is great for that. I just finished football season and now moving into basketball. The pictures that I am taking are so much better than last year -- the lighting in a gym is not ideal for taking pics so this lens has helped tremendously with the clarity and stopping the motion for basketball. I'm still learning how to best use my lens so each game my pictures are getting better and better. The lens is a little heavy so I use a monopod some of the time to help with the weight -- my arm gets a little tired otherwise. I would recommend this lens for the E-510 Olympus photographers!

Date published: 2009-11-05

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Supreme Commander from
This is a great lensI use the new lens with my E-500 SLR and I'm impressed. It's a great addition to the 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 I already use. The E-500 doesn't support SWD, but autofocus is fast and sharp throughout the 50-200mm zoom range. The lens is a little heavier than I expected (even after having read other reviews) but it's a major league piece of equipment. I like taking candid portrait shots and the long zoom & excellent focus will be great for that. It'll be great for wildlife up here in the Northwest, and I plan to use it at the horse track in the Spring and rodeo photos next Summer. The tripod mount will prove critical for long hours of shooting.

Date published: 2009-12-29

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Gibbo from
A classicA tack sharp lens that out-specs all the competitors and is the mainstay of my wildlife arsenal. I have had the non-SWD and the SWD version. I like the old one because it is a bit smaller. My one gripe is this: Because the barrel extends in and out of the body, it is prone to getting affected by dirt. This lead to my old version breaking (the zoom ring bolt sheared) after 3 years, now it needs repair at $350. The new one got scratches on the barrel after a short time. The equivalent from Canon (70-200mm f4 L) does not have this problem as there is no extending part, however it is also a bit shorter in EFL and a stop slower at the short end.

Date published: 2010-06-01

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
Superb OpticsI have only had this lens a few days, but the results are amazing. I do wedding and event photography, and needed something with some more reach than what I had. The pictures are crystal clear, and, when mounted on the E-30 with the vertical grip, it balances very nicely. The only drawback that I have right now is that when operating the focus ring, there is no audible stop. Something I have gotten used to with Sigma lenses. By the way, I chose this over the Sigma 70-200 because of all the reviews that I read talked about slight image degradation at 200mm. I also am not too excited about the lens extending to zoom, but, for the price, you get a 100-400mm!!! Whats not to love!!!

Date published: 2010-01-08

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
GREAT LENS!!!I bought this lens to use with my Olympus E-620. I love to photograph nature (animals in the forest, the birds on the branches and in flight). Previously, I used in those shootings 70-300, but I'm not getting a lot of good shots. But now with 50-200mm I enjoyed the fast focus, sharp and clear images even when a shortage of light. I liked the balance in ligaments the camera and lens when mounting on a tripod. I was surprised that almost all of my pictures are good quality, and some simply gorgeous. Also I tried to do portraits, landscapes and pictures of the city nightlife. And I got excellent results. The lens is wonderful!!

Date published: 2011-04-02

Rated 5 out of
5 by
SeaCreature from
Great lens for micro four-thirds tooI got one of these for about $ in very good shape and I really recomend it!This is a Sharp pro level lens:Yes, the auto-focus is not fast in an e-pl5 but when the alternative is a 40-150mm f2.8 for about 7x the price I paid for it, that becomes completely secondary.Yes it is a big heavy lens, but the image quality is bsolutelly excelent.I've been using it mainly for wild life photography and I really love it. The maximum magnification is a litle short and will make a hunter out of you, which in my opinion is very welcome chalenge.Get a 1.4x teleconverter and it becomes a 140-580mm f3.5-4 fantastic quality lens.If I had to buy one new, i'd go for the 40-150mm f2.8, but with the desapearence of the 4/3 format there are so many of these in second hand for sale that I woldn't bother to look for the new ones.I'd recomend a second handed olympus 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 to any wild life photographer.

Date published: 2015-04-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
JPOSBORN from
Excellent ProductI spent about six months trying to decide to fork out over 2 grand for the 35-100mm f/2.0 ED Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens or this not quite as bright 50-200mm lense, with f 2.8 - 3.5. There may come a day when I will add the loser between these two lenses, but for my purposes now this beauty is the ticket. I'm a hobbyist whose passion is shooting sports. Little League, Pony League and high school baseball is my favorite, but I also shoot my daughters softball team and my son's Division 3 college football games. I am very pleased with this lense, which I use with my E-500. Because I am shooting moving subjects, lense brightness is important, but because I am not a professional, so is cost. This product was the happy medium which satisfied both considerations.

Date published: 2008-05-26

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Carol S. from
Sharp Glass!I use this lens on my micro 4/3 system with an adaptor. The images are fantastic. It would have received 5 stars but for the slowness in focusing, and occasional seeking that it does. Because I'm using it on a micro system, I don't know if this is how it would focus on a 4/3 system. Other than that, I love this lens and can't wait for every opportunity to use it. (I shoot sports and potraits.)